Project by

About this project

The Project:

As a queer woman and an artist, I want to give the LGBTQ Community a platform to express their voice's and their truths. I want to show the many faces of this community, the diversity and the strength it takes to be who they are each day. In 2011 I started GAYFACE as a personal project but by 2012 the project started to gain recognition which moved me emotionally to pursue a dream of giving back to the community.

Through these photographs I'm capturing personalities and in that split second of the shutter clicking, I feel one with the subjects. I hope that these photographs bring awareness, a human connection and invoke emotion.

This project celebrates the color, vibrance and diversity of a community that for decades as been in the dark.

GAYFACE 1st Class.

My mission through GAYFACE: 1st CLASS, and the accompanying ALLYFACE photo series is to unite and empower the full-spectrum of the LGBTQ community and our allies. In doing so we will give this community a voice through the pages of this first edition portraiture book.

ALLY FACE.

GAYFACE:1st Class has been published in over 70 plus publications world wide and I have no intention of loosing steam. Just to name a few: Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, The Advocate, Serius XM Radio, Autostraddle, MetroSource Magazine, After Ellen, Fast Company, Posture Magazine, She Wired, Philadelphia Magazine, DC Pride, Chicago Pride, One Equal World, Co-Exsist, Dot249 and USA News.

GAYFACE: 1st Class has also had the pleasure of collaborating with some of the LGBTQ’s and Allies New Yorks leading forces in the community such as : Whitney Day, The Brooklyn Pride Community Center, Janet Mock, Dapper Q, Murray Hill and Amy Quinn, Trevor Project, Peaceman Foundation, Inside Out, Soul Side Out, Born this way.

Om. NYC. "no label".

About the book:

A simple concept and experience can have a great impact on your confidence and self-perception. GAYFACE uses simple diptych portraits to capture the beauty and diversity of individuals in this community through fine art photography. These portraits and the stories that the subjects share document the LGBTQ community from the inside.

Along with the portraits, the book will contain individuals sharing their own intimate stories allowing the world to get a first hand glimpse into their lives. Throughout this process each individual has the option to identify there own sexuality as they wish. GAYFACE:1st class refrains from the use of labels, and wants to break down the stereotypical boxes that society puts us in.

Erin. CA. "lesbian"

The book will also contain LGTBQ friendly owned restaurants, bars, parks, coffee shops and art galleries collected from the individuals we shoot throughout our travels. This information creates a platform for others to share their experiences and gives our readers an in-depth look into their cities, neighborhoods and backyards.

In addition, we will give an overview of the history of the LGBTQ community and the civil rights movement, highlighting the community's struggles and triumphs.

Gayface: 1st Class

Where we've been and where we're going

Your support will allow us to expand our collection of 230 portraits taken in five cities by allowing me and my team to travel to more isolated communities and diverse populations. We plan to travel to at least 28 states to take 2,000 portraits. We have mapped out our route and have started booking photo shoots across the country, but need your support to make this portraiture book possible.

After the tour

After my team and I cross the country documenting our community and our allies, we'll return to Brooklyn to compile our images, stories, history and guide. We will then begin the editing process for the book, to be Published!

Spread the Word!

After pledging your support, please help to spread the word about this project by sharing this link with your contacts.

Thank you for your support!

LGBTQ and Allies Coat of Arms. Designed by Ashley Kolodner

Risks and challenges

One challenge we face is finding places to shoot in the 28 different states. We are confident this will not be hard since we have already begun speaking with humans throughout the nation. Many individuals have reached out personally to extend help in many ways.
One of the risks that we might encounter is individuals who have different views of this project. With that in mind in certain areas we will be making sure to create a secure environment for all participants involved.
The risks and challenges when publishing any type of book include the possibility of delay, but we will do our best to send the rewards to you at the estimate time. Unfortunately we can't promise it will arrive right on time, but if there are any delays in production we will promptly inform you.

FAQ

Rewards

Pledge $5 or more

Welcome to the GAYFACE family!!! Promise to spread the word on your blog, Facebook and twitter about the project! Thank you for the Support!

Estimated delivery:May 2014

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

33 backers

Cadet -
Welcome to the GAYFACE family, Cadet!
Promise to spread the word on your blog, Facebook and twitter about the project and get a sign GAYFACE post card. Also Receive acknowledgment in GAYFACE: 1st Class Book, Website and an invitation to the book launch in New York.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $25 or more

11 backers

HELLO HELLO! Promise to spread the word on your blog, Facebook and twitter about the project and get a sign GAYFACE post card and POSTER!!(with many faces). Also Receive acknowledgment in GAYFACE: 1st Class Book, Website and an invitation to the book launch in New York.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

26 backers

Lieutenant -
As a Lieutenant you will receive a GAYFACE shirt and an Ebook. Along with a sign GAYFACE post card. Also Receive acknowledgment in GAYFACE: 1st Class Book, Website and an invitation to the book launch in New York.

Estimated delivery:May 2016

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

3 backers

Making moves! You will receive a GAYFACE shirt,poster,and an Ebook. Along with a sign GAYFACE post card. Also Receive acknowledgment in GAYFACE: 1st Class Book, Website and an invitation to the book launch in New York.

Estimated delivery:May 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

8 backers

Commander -
Pre-Order of GAYFACE: 1st Class book signed by Ashley Kolodner. Along with a sign GAYFACE post card. AND a T-Shirt! Also Receive acknowledgment in GAYFACE: 1st Class Book, Website and an invitation to the book launch in New York.

Estimated delivery:May 2016

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $300 or more

1 backer

Chief -
Pre-Order GAYFACE: 1st Class book signed by Ashley Kolodner and 3 10”x20” print’s of your choice. Also Receive acknowledgment in GAYFACE: 1st Class Book, Website and an invitation to the book launch in New York.

Estimated delivery:May 2016

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

0 backers

Gladiator-
Pre-Order 2 GAYFACE: 1st Class books signed by Ashley Kolodner and 2 large 4’x3’ print of your choice. Also Receive acknowledgment in GAYFACE: 1st Class Book, Website and an invitation to the book launch in New York.

Estimated delivery:May 2016

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $3,500 or more

0 backers
Limited (15 left of 15)

Ultimate Human Gladiator-
We will come to your City/School to do a shoot and or a short talk about the project.(even if its outside of our 28 states). Pre-Order 2 GAYFACE: 1st Class books signed by Ashley Kolodner and a large 4’x3’ print of your choice. 3 10”x20” print’s of your choice. Also a GAYFACE shirt and 3 signed postcards. Also Receive acknowledgment in GAYFACE: 1st Class Book, Website and an invitation to the book launch in New York.

Estimated delivery:May 2016

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Apr 8, 2014 - May 8, 2014
(30 days)

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